Skimmer/waterfall with backlight

ABSTRACT

A skimmer through which water is extracted from a reservoir such as a pool, spa or tub extracts debris from the water and includes a mechanism to return water to the reservoir as a waterfall. Water extracted through the skimmer is distributed between the waterfall and a reservoir return, such as a pool return or hydrotherapy jets in the case of a spa or tub, preferably by a single adjustable valve which controls the distribution. The reach of the waterfall into the reservoir is preferably a function of the water pressure at the waterfall mechanism, with the valve being adjustable to vary the pressure and thereby the waterfall reach. The skimmer/waterfall unit may also include a light source which depends from a removable wall, preferably a lid for the skimmer/waterfall housing, to illuminate the waterfall. The light source is preferably centered behind and disposed to illuminate the waterfall with a balanced backlight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to pools and spas with skimmer/waterfall units, and to such units with a capability for waterfall lighting.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recreational water reservoirs such as pools and spas are well known. Spas include indoor and outdoor units for multiple users, and jetted bathtubs.

Combination skimmers and waterfalls are known, as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,568 to Harder. In this device the waterfall is directed vertically downward above and in front of the skimmer intake. This creates turbulence at the skimmer inlet which at least partially disrupts the flow of water into the skimmer. Separate control valves are provided for the return of water withdrawn through the skimmer back to the pool through the normal pool return, and through the waterfall. This requires a proper coordination between the valves to provide a desired waterfall flow, and to avoid over pressures or under pressures within the system.

Stand-alone waterfall units have been provided with an illumination capability for the waterfall, typically by means of optical fibers. Illustrative units are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,595,675 and 6,510,277, both to Dongo, 6,484,952 to Koren and 6,375,342 to Koren et al. However, these patents do not disclose a way to provide a desirable waterfall backlighting in a combination waterfall/skimmer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a skimmer/waterfall unit provides a water extraction path from a reservoir that removes debris from extracted water. A water distributor distributes water between the waterfall and a reservoir return, while a pump extracts water from the reservoir through the skimmer and directs the water to the distributor. The distributor is adjustable to control the distribution of water between the waterfall and the return. It can comprise a single adjustable valve that can vary the water pressure at the waterfall, and thus the reach of the waterfall into the reservoir.

A backlit waterfall illumination can also be provided, with the skimmer housing having a removable wall, preferably a top lid, and a light source that depends from the wall to illuminate the waterfall. The light source is preferably centered behind the waterfall.

In another aspect of the invention, a skimmer/waterfall unit includes a skimmer for removing debris from extracted water, and a waterfall mechanism that is integrated with the skimmer to provide a waterfall return with a reach that is a function of the water pressure at the waterfall mechanism. The unit can be illuminated as described above.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detail description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of a pool with a skimmer/waterfall water control system in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are respectively left and right side perspective views of a skimmer/waterfall unit in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a skimmer/waterfall unit;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the unit shown in FIG. 3, except for the waterfall illumination apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the waterfall illumination apparatus for the unit shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the application of the invention to a spa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A pool system in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. It provides a combination skimmer/waterfall unit 2 for a pool 4, although the system could be used with other types of water reservoirs as well. The pool 4 would typically be set in the ground.

Water is drawn into the skimmer by a pump 6, which is connected through conduit 8 to the outlet of a filter housing 10 included in the skimmer. The water flows into the skimmer body 12, past a weir gate within the skimmer body and into a well 14 that provides access to the filter housing, which can house a filter basket or similar mechanism to remove debris that has flowed past the weir gate. The water exits the filter housing and is drawn into the pump 6. The pump may also be connected to draw water from a pool drain (not shown), if desired.

Pump 6 circulates the withdrawn water back through a filter 16 for return to the skimmer/waterfall unit 2 through a lower inlet (not shown) to a valve 18. This valve distributes the pump water between an inlet to the waterfall section of the skimmer/waterfall unit 2, and a pool return 20 via conduit 22. The top wall of the skimmer/waterfall unit body 12 preferably consists of a removable lid 24, with the waterfall inlet from valve 18 routed under a convex section 26 of the lid. Water drawn through the skimmer is returned to the valve 18 through a conduit 28 from pump 6 and filter 16.

The skimmer/waterfall unit 2 includes a waterfall section that ejects a cascade of water in a waterfall pattern 30 into the interior of the pool from the upper portion of the housing 12. This produces a pleasing appearance, makes a water sound that helps to muffle any equipment noises, and tends to conceal the skimmer mechanism from occupants of the pool. The valve 18 distributes water withdrawn from the skimmer between conduit 22 to pool return 20, and the waterfall cascade 30. As discussed below, this valve can be adjusted to vary the reach of the waterfall into the pool. The skimmer/waterfall unit 2 is mounted to the pool wall 32, with the waterfall 30 directed towards the pool side of the wall and the unit's main body positioned outside the wall.

The illustrative skimmer/waterfall unit 2 is shown in left- and right-hand perspective in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. The unit housing includes a throat 34 into which water from the pool flows. The waterfall discharge outlet 36 is positioned over the upper portion of the throat. The valve 18 includes an inlet 38 for receiving water from conduit 28 (shown in FIG. 1), a first outlet 40 for supplying water to the waterfall, and a second outlet 42 for directing water to the pool return 20 through conduit 22 (shown in FIG. 1). Water is directed to the waterfall from valve outlet 40 through a waterfall feed elbow 44 to a waterfall supply conduit under the convex lid section 26. A removable lid 46 provides access to the skimmer well 14 for removing and cleaning a filter basket in filter housing 10. Filter housing outlet 48 provides a coupling to outlet conduit 8 shown in FIG. 1.

The skimmer/waterfall unit preferably includes an internal light source, described below, to provide a backlight for the waterfall. A light controller 56, which preferably includes a user-accessible on/off switch, is connected to the light by a control cord 58, and receives an electrical input through power cord 60.

The interior of a skimmer/waterfall unit 2 in accordance with the invention in shown in FIG. 3. Pool water is drawn into the throat 34 of the skimmer/waterfall unit 2 and flows past an upright self-aligning weir 62 that pivots on hinge 64 to automatically regulate the flow rate of water into the skimmer. Various types of conventional weirs may be used. Water flowing past the weir enters a flue section 66 which opens to well 14. An interior water flow port 68 within the well has water drawn into it by the action of pump 6 (shown in FIG. 1), which is connected by conduit to the filter housing outlet 48. The water flows through a filter 70, within the filter housing, that removes debris from the pool water that has flowed into the skimmer. The water is discharged from the unit through filter housing outlet 48.

The unit can be affixed to a pool wall by means of a face plate 72 that is connected to the forward end of the skimmer/waterfall housing 12 by screws 74 or other connectors, with the pool wall sandwiched in between in space 76 between the face plate and the remainder of the unit.

The pool is normally filled so that the surface 78 of the pool water is kept below the upper limit of weir 62, but above the inlet to water flow port 68 in the filter unit. The filter unit lid 46 is easily removable, as is the water flow port 68 once lid 46 has been lifted, allowing the filter 70 to be easily removed for cleaning.

A waterfall inlet conduit 80 is supplied with water from the waterfall feed elbow 44 (shown in FIG. 2 a) under the control of valve 18. Water flows through the conduit transverse to the skimmer/waterfall unit 2, and out between upper and lower waterfall guide plates 82 and 84, respectively. The waterfall guide plates 82, 84 are glued together and extend forward from the interior of the unit, with their forward ends 82′ and 84′ slanted at an upward angle, preferably on the order of about 15-20°, and their opposed forward edges spaced closely apart to produce a waterfall cascade 30 that is discharges from the unit at an upward angle, and falls to the pool water surface in front of the skimmer/waterfall unit in a generally laminar flow. The two plates are spaced apart rearward of forward ends 82′ and 84′, while the forward ends progressively converge to produce a narrow discharge slit. This tends to magnify significant changes in the water pressure at the inlet to the plates, which in turn is useful in adjusting the reach of the waterfall into the pool as described below. The plates include side and rear walls that prevent water from escaping except out the discharge slits between the plates.

The waterfall is normally operated with only a portion of the water flowing through valve 18 with the remainder directed to the pool return. If a significantly greater portion of the water flow through valve 18 is routed to the waterfall, the water pressure behind the waterfall increases and causes the waterfall to reach or extend further into the pool and away from the skimmer/waterfall unit, as indicated by reference number 30′. Thus, with a single adjustment to valve 18, the user can divert more or less water from the pool return to the waterfall, and thereby control the reach of the waterfall into the pool.

The desired reach of the waterfall into the pool will depend upon a number of factors. One is the aesthetic effect, which can vary from user to user. Furthermore, the waterfall tends to create turbulence at the skimmer inlet which at least partially disrupts the flow of water into the skimmer. As the distance of the waterfall out from the skimmer increases, the disruption to the skimmer water intake reduces, but the waterfall becomes somewhat more noisy and less laminar. The degree of laminar flow will also influence the backlighting effect, although again some users may prefer a greater waterfall reach and others a lesser reach for this purpose. Each individual user can easily adjust the valve 18 to produce a waterfall effect most pleasing to him or her.

As the water flow varies, the amount of water returned to the pool through the waterfall increases as the flow throughout the pool return is reduced, and vice versa, with the waterfall reach into the pool also increasing and reducing in response to reductions and increases in the water flow through the pool return.

A light source housing 86 preferably depends from the removable skimmer/waterfall upper lid 24 into the interior of the unit, centered behind and disposed to illuminate the waterfall with a backlight from light source 88, which is illustrated in FIG. 3 as an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) with a front lens 90. Other types of light sources, such as incandescent bulbs, fiber optics or neon lighting, could be used as desired. A centered light provides a desirable uniform backlight effect across the waterfall. The light source housing 86 is preferably watertight. The light source is easily accessible and replaceable by simply removing the skimmer/waterfall lid 24.

Further details of the exemplary unit are illustrated in FIG. 4. The mounting plate 72 is secured through a gasket 92 to the skimmer body 12 by a series of screws 94. The upper waterfall guide plate 82 includes an inlet 96 which receives an inflow of water from waterfall inlet conduit 80, passing the water to the space between the upper and lower waterfall plates 82, 84. An upstanding fin 98 on the lower waterfall guide plate 84 helps to maintain the spacing between the two plates. A set of screws 100 extend through openings in the upper portion of the body 12 and fasten into corresponding threaded receivers 102 on the upper surface of waterfall guide plate 82 to hold the guide plates in place.

A bracket 104 for valve 18 is fastened to the upper portion of the body 12 by a pair of screws 106, while the exposed rearward portion of the body is covered by lid 24, which can be easily fastened and detached by a set of retainer screws 108. This allows the lid, along with an attached light assembly if provided, to be easily removed to access the light assembly and interior of the unit.

The weir 62, which can include a foam pad 110, is pivotally attached to the bottom rear interior of body 12 by the weir hinges 64. Body 12 is affixed to flue 66 by a set of screws 112, with an intervening water tight gasket 114.

A filter basket 116 fits within the filter housing 10, with a lip around the basket resting on basket stops 118. The basket and filter cartridge 70 which it carries (not shown in FIG. 4) can be easily removed by unscrewing lid 46, lifting up water flow port 68, and removing the basket by grasping the basket handle 120. A support bracket 122 is provided for the unit around the filter housing outlet 48.

FIG. 5 presents an exploded perspective view of an optional lighting unit for the skimmer/waterfall. A multiple LED lamp 124 is held in a socket 126. A lens 128 extends through an opening in light housing 86, with a flange 128 a that abuts the outer housing wall around the opening, and a threaded cylinder 128 b that extends from the lens into the housing. A threaded cap 130 screws onto the lens cylinder 128 b and abuts the periphery of the housing opening from inside the housing to hold the lens in place. Lamp 124 and socket 126 are held in place by a threaded back cap 132 that screws into cylinder 128 b from the rear, behind cap 130.

Housing 86 and the lamp assembly which it supports are held to the underside of skimmer lid 24 by screws 134 that extend upward through screw openings in the housing and screw into receivers (not shown) on the underside of skimmer lid 24. A gasket 136 provides a seal between the upper surface of housing 86 and underside of lid 24.

The light controller 56 is illustrated as a housing 56 a with a front cover 56 b, enclosing a transformer 138 and power switch 140, with a cap 142 covering a mounting hole for the transformer. The power switch 140 is operated by a switch actuator 144 that is carried outside the front cover 56 b, where it can be conveniently accessed by the user.

Power cord 60 enters the housing 56, and control cord 58 exits the housing, through a set of watertight cord grips 146. Within the housing, electrical connections (not shown) are made from power cord 60 to transformer 138, and then through power switch 140 to control cord 58.

The opposite end of control cord 58 is brought into lamp housing 86 through another set of liquid tight cord grips 148. Inside the housing the control cord is connected to supply electrical power, at a low voltage established by transformer 138, to socket 126 and thus to lamp 124. The unit is easily accessed by simply unscrewing the skimmer/waterfall lid 24. If desired, a light source could be provided within controller housing 56, and one or more optical fibers substituted for control cord 58 to direct light from the source into the lamp housing 86 to be directed on to the back of the waterfall.

FIG. 6 illustrates the application of the invention to a spa jetted tub 150, as opposed to the swimming pool discussed above. The spa or tub 150 includes a series of hydrotherapy jets 152 and a drain 154 in its floor. A skimmer/waterfall unit 156 in accordance with the invention is shown mounted in one wall. A water pump 158 supplies water though a conduit 160 through a valve (not shown) which can be either mounted to or separate from the skimmer/waterfall unit 156, with the valve distributing the incoming water between the waterfall and a network of conduits 162 that feed the jets. Whether the valve is mounted on the skimmer/waterfall unit or placed at another location within the system, it is preferably a single unit that distributes water between the waterfall and jets with a single valve control. If desired, an air pump 164 can also be provided to deliver air to the jets through air line 166 to aerate the water flowing through the jets, rather than providing an air pump to increase the pressure of the air entering the jets. The vacuum created by the jet venturis can also be used to draw air into the jets and the water streams flowing through them in a well known manner.

In this spa/tub embodiment, water can be drawn into the water pump 158 through the drain 154 via a drain conduit 168, with the pump also drawing water through the skimmer via a branch of the same drain conduit, through a dedicated skimmer conduit. Rather than returning the water back to the reservoir through a waterfall and pool return, with a user controllable distribution between the waterfall and pool return as in the pool embodiment described previously, in the spa/tub embodiment water is distributed between the waterfall and spa jets, again preferably by means of a single user controlled valve.

The water drawn by the pump through the skimmer can be in addition to, or in lieu of, water drawn through drain 154. A spa/tub skimmer will normally have a different design from a pool skimmer, but the general principles of the invention apply to each, with water returned to the reservoir though the combination of the waterfall and a water return that is implemented with a pool return in the case of a pool, and hydrotherapy jets in the case of a spa or tub.

Numerous variations and alternate embodiments can be envisioned within the scope of the invention. For example, multiple skimmer/waterfall units could be provided for a single reservoir of water, and various available skimmer designs could be used. Numerous valve mechanisms are also known that can be used to distribute water between the waterfall and water return with a single control. The valve could also be electromechanically controlled rather than manually. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention been limited only in terms of the appended claims. 

1. A reservoir water control system, comprising: a water reservoir, a skimmer coupled to said reservoir to provide a water extraction path from said reservoir and to remove debris from extracted water, said skimmer including a waterfall mechanism to provide water to the reservoir in a waterfall, a water return coupled to return water to the reservoir, a water distributor coupled to distribute water between said waterfall mechanism and said return, and a pump coupled to extract water form said reservoir through said skimmer and to direct said water to said distributor, said distributor being adjustable to control the distribution of said water between said waterfall mechanism and said return.
 2. The system of claim 1, said reservoir comprising a pool, and said return comprising a pool return.
 3. The system of claim 1, said reservoir comprising a spa or tub, and said return comprising at least one jet coupled to direct returned water into said spa or tub in at least one jet flow.
 4. The system of claim 1, said distributor comprising a single adjustable valve.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the reach of said waterfall into said reservoir is a function of the pressure of said water at said waterfall mechanism, and said valve is adjustable to vary said pressure.
 6. The system of claim 1, said skimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, and further comprising a light source which depends from said removable wall to illuminate said waterfall.
 7. The system of claim 6, said removable wall comprising a lid for said housing.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a light source mounted within said skimmer, centered behind and disposed to illuminate said waterfall.
 9. The system of claim 8, said slimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, said light source depending from said removable wall.
 10. A reservoir water control system, comprising: a water reservoir, a skimmer coupled to said reservoir to provide a water extraction path from said reservoir and to remove debris from extracted water, said skimmer including a waterfall mechanism to provide water to the reservoir in a waterfall, said waterfall mechanism establishing a waterfall reach into said reservoir which is a function of the water pressure at said waterfall mechanism, an adjustable valve coupled to control a flow of water to said waterfall mechanism, and a pump coupled to extract water from said reservoir through said skimmer and to direct at least a portion of said extracted water to said valve, said valve controlling the water pressure at said waterfall mechanism, and thus the reach of said waterfall into said reservoir.
 11. The system of claim 10, said skimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, and further comprising a light source which depends from said removable wall to illuminate said waterfall.
 12. The system of claim 11, said removable wall comprising a lid for said housing.
 13. The system of claim 10, further comprising a light source mounted within said skimmer, centered behind and disposed to illuminate said waterfall.
 14. The system of claim 13, said skimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, said light source depending from said removable wall.
 15. A skimmer/waterfall unit, comprising: a skimmer for removing debris from water extracted from a reservoir, and a waterfall mechanism integrated with said skimmer to provide a waterfall return with a reach that is a function of the water pressure at said mechanism.
 16. The skimmer/waterfall unit of claim 15, said skimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, and further comprising a light source which depends from said removable wall to illuminate said waterfall.
 17. The skimmer/waterfall unit of claim 16, said removable wall comprising a lid for said housing.
 18. The skimmer/waterfall unit of claim 15, further comprising a light source mounted within said skimmer, centered behind and disposed to illuminate said waterfall.
 19. The skimmer/waterfall unit of claim 18, said skimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, said light source depending from said removable wall.
 20. A skimmer/waterfall unit, comprising: a skimmer for removing debris from water, said skimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, a waterfall mechanism integrated with said skimmer to provide a waterfall return, and a light source which depends from said removable wall to illuminate said waterfall.
 21. The skimmer/waterfall unit of claim 20, said removable wall comprising a lid for said housing.
 22. The skimmer/waterfall unit of claim 20, wherein said light source is centered behind said waterfall.
 23. A skimmer/waterfall unit, comprising: a skimmer for removing debris form water, a waterfall mechanism integrated with said skimmer to provide a waterfall return, and a light source mounted within said skimmer, centered behind and disposed to illuminate said waterfall.
 24. The skimmer/waterfall unit of claims 23, said skimmer including a housing with a removable housing wall, said light source depending from said removable wall.
 25. A method of controlling the flow of water to a reservoir having a water return and a waterfall, comprising: varying a flow of water into said reservoir through said return, increasing a flow of water into said reservoir through said waterfall in response to a reduction in water flow through said return, and reducing said flow of water into said reservoir through said waterfall in response to an increase in water flow through said return.
 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising increasing the reach of said waterfall into said reservoir in response to a reduction in water flow through said return, and reducing the reach of said waterfall into said reservoir in response to an increase in water flow through said return. 